At the expiration of the retention period the data and materials should be re-evaluated and considered for further retention at VU or elsewhere.

Research data management planning

The Research Data Management Planning (RDMP) form is the primary mechanism for VU researchers to document and inform the University of responsibilities, storage locations, retention periods, and other requirements relating to data and materials.

The RDMP can help you plan your project or activity. It should be completed for each project or activity and kept with the project data and records. It contains the minimum considerations necessary for responsible data and materials management.

The RDMP should be updated if substantial changes occur and upon project completion.

Appropriate safety measures must also be in place, for example ensuring the data is safe from damage, deterioration or accidental loss by keeping backups and imperishable copies or records.

Data, materials and records should be retained in a college or central university facility that is recommended for longterm retention. The Research Data Management Planning (RDMP) form explains how and where data and materials can be accessed by the University or college if needed.

R: Drive – VU's digital data store

The R: drive (research data storage) has been established for the safe storage and retention of digital data, files and records. All VU researchers and research students have free access to the R: drive.

R: drive folders are automatically backed-up and password protected. They are accessible from any VU computer or from off campus (via VPN), and allow files/records to be shared within your project or with supervisors.

To access the R: drive from off campus you will need to set up access to the Virtual Private Network (VPN). Instructions for downloading, installing and connecting to the VPN is available in the ITS Knowledge Base (requires VU login).

Publishing data

Your research contributes to your field and to your communities. You should consider promoting some of your data or collections for wider access by publishing your data directly, or contributing your data to a managed repository, archive or other organisation. These can include:

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Victoria University acknowledges, recognises and respects the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Boonwurrung, Waddawurrung and Wurundjeri of the Kulin who are the traditional owners of University land in Victoria, and the Gadigal and Guring-gai of the Eora Nation who are the traditional owners of University land in Sydney.